Not only Mumbai, but the entire cricketing world watched with awe as the Mumbai Indians (MI) made a spirited run in IPL 2025, reaching the playoffs with a fiery mix of veterans and emerging stars. Although the campaign ended in a Qualifier 2 loss to Punjab Kings, the team’s resurgence made headlines throughout the tournament. With the dust settling and the auction cycle approaching, focus now shifts to the 2026 MI retained list – who stays, who goes, and what the blueprint for another title looks like. Among the top performers, some names stood head and shoulders above the rest. Here’s a look at the 2025 MI best players most likely to find a place in the retention roster.
2025 MI Best Players：Key Names Set for 2026 Retention
1. Suryakumar Yadav
Let’s start with the man of the season. Suryakumar Yadav, the India T20 skipper and Mumbai Indians’ mainstay, was officially declared the Most Valuable Player of IPL 2025. Over 16 matches, he earned an astounding 320.5 MVP points, becoming only the second MI player after Sachin Tendulkar (2010) to win this honour.
Finding the middle of the bat 🙌
Surya Kumar Yadav guides #MI home with a superb 40*(19) 👌
Scorecard ▶ https://t.co/nZaVdtwDtv #TATAIPL | #SRHvMI | @surya_14kumar | @mipaltan pic.twitter.com/m4u2MNXBTb
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 23, 2025
The numbers? Mind-blowing. 717 runs from 16 innings at a staggering strike rate of 167.91, including five half-centuries and a highest score of 73*. His average stood at 65.18. Suryakumar also smashed 69 fours and 38 sixes during the season, and contributed in the field with six catches. He was not just consistent, he was dominant. MI’s playoff qualification can be directly credited to his game-changing knocks. With this kind of elite impact, there is no doubt Suryakumar tops the 2025 MI best players list and is an automatic pick in the 2026 MI retained list.
सूर्या दादा hitting in his 𝙑 😉💥#MumbaiIndians #PlayLikeMumbai #TATAIPL #RRvMI pic.twitter.com/oheY8GmIUM
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) May 1, 2025
His ability to pace an innings, accelerate fearlessly, and absorb pressure in crunch moments makes him indispensable. More than numbers, it’s the aura he brings to the crease, calm, destructive, and confident, that defines his legacy in blue and gold.
2. Trent Boult
Trent Boult’s presence in the MI squad added muscle to their bowling department like no other. Acquired for INR 12.5 crore at the 2025 auction, the Kiwi speedster justified every rupee spent. Boult picked up 22 wickets in just 16 matches and was MI’s leading wicket-taker. His economy rate of 7.5 was among the best for a frontline pacer this season. More importantly, he delivered in the pressure-cooker powerplay overs, striking early and swinging the ball with finesse.
𝙄𝙩’𝙨 𝙍𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜….𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙒𝙄𝘾𝙆𝙀𝙏𝙎 ☔🤩
Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult with an exhibition of hostility 🥵@mipaltan are right back in the contest 💙
Updates ▶ https://t.co/DdKG6Zn78k #TATAIPL | #MIvGT | @Jaspritbumrah93 pic.twitter.com/gvL3X5d8bf
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 6, 2025
Overall, in the IPL, Boult now boasts 143 wickets in 120 matches, averaging 26.20. In 2025 alone, his performance elevated him into the upper bracket of 2025 MI best players, and with MI eyeing a strong bowling core for 2026, Boult is a no-brainer pick for the 2026 MI retained list. Beyond statistics, Boult’s on-field leadership and guidance to young bowlers made him invaluable. He often set the tone for the innings and helped Mumbai Indians control games from the start. His experience and skill remain unmatched.
3. Ryan Rickelton
Among the lesser-known names heading into IPL 2025, South African wicketkeeper-batter Ryan Rickelton turned out to be MI’s silent warrior. Bought for just ₹1 crore, he quickly became one of the pillars in their top-order revival. Playing his maiden IPL season, Rickelton scored 388 runs in 14 matches, averaging 29.65 and striking at nearly 151. He registered three fifties, with a highest score of 62*. His ability to absorb pressure and play spin comfortably gave MI solidity in the middle overs.
Bole toh… Ryan bhai ne Wankhede debut mein kiya नुस्ता राडा 🏏💥#MumbaiIndians #PlayLikeMumbai #TATAIPL #MIvKKR pic.twitter.com/YxfDoS8Jt3
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) April 1, 2025
Considering the price-to-performance ratio and the potential he has shown, Rickelton is without doubt among the 2025 MI best players and stands a strong chance to make it to the 2026 MI retained list, especially if MI looks to groom long-term assets. He was often the bridge between a brisk start and a strong finish, rotating strike efficiently and accelerating when needed. Rickelton’s calm temperament, adaptability across roles, and strong technique make him a future-proof option in MI’s evolving batting blueprint.
4. Tilak Varma
Consistency and maturity define Tilak Varma’s 2025 season. The young left-hander continued his upward curve, scoring 343 runs in 13 innings at a healthy average of 31.18 and a strike rate of 138.3. With two vital half-centuries and a calm demeanour under pressure, Tilak once again showed why MI invested in him during the mega auction cycle. His ability to adapt to different match situations makes him a versatile asset.
Tilak आणि SKY ची जोडी 5️⃣0️⃣* पार 💪🔥#MumbaiIndians #PlayLikeMumbai #TATAIPL #PBKSvMIpic.twitter.com/UJlDDfv3wd
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) June 1, 2025
More than just stats, it’s his temperament that makes Tilak a long-term investment. His name should comfortably sit in the 2026 MI retained list, and as one of the 2025 MI best players, he’ll likely be part of MI’s middle-order engine for years to come. His composure in tight chases and willingness to bat through phases where others falter give the Mumbai Indians much-needed depth. If he continues on this trajectory, he could soon be in contention for national duties beyond just the shortest format.
Conclusion
IPL 2025 turned out to be a landmark campaign for MI not because they lifted the trophy, but because they laid down the foundation for future glory. From veterans like Suryakumar and Boult to newcomers like Rickelton and rising talents like Tilak, the team showed signs of a well-rounded, resilient unit.
As we look ahead, the 2026 MI retained list will be critical in shaping the next phase of the Mumbai Indians. Retaining the right core from the 2025 MI best players will determine whether the team continues its upward curve or slides back into inconsistency. One thing’s for certain: if the performances of 2025 are anything to go by, Mumbai Indians have plenty of reasons to be optimistic. The baton has been passed, the torch is still burning, and the future looks blue and bright.
